FCBARCELONA.CAT

22.04.2009 23:54

Camp Nou responds

Anna Segura

A huge crowd of 76,386 spectators turned up to the Camp Nou for Wednesday’s match against Sevilla. Despite being played midweek and at 10 in the evening, the fans responded to Guardiola’s call to get behind the team and become player number 12.

The attendance at Wednesday night’s match is the third highest this season, exceeded only by the matches against Real Madrid (96,059 spectators) and Valencia (82,889). The fans have made it clear that they want to help the team win the league title.

Day and time

This huge vote of support for the players came in spite of the match being played midweek and at the rather late kick-off time of 10 pm. However, the fans resisted the temptation to stay at home and watch the game on free view TV.

Over the last four seasons there have been nine midweek matches with a 10 pm kick-off but this last game against Sevilla attracted the highest crowd so far to the Camp Nou.

Player number 12

Right from kick-off, the 76,386 voices never stopped cheering on the team and the four Barça goals made sure that the party continued right through to the final whistle. The climax arrived when Henry scored the fourth but the fans also applauded long and loud when Xavi and Iniesta were substituted.

Guardiola’s rallying call

During the pre-match press conference, Josep Guardiola had insisted “Now it’s the hour of the Camp Nou” and the response of the fans last night was the clearest indication of their support for the team.

The technical director, Txiki Begiristain, has also said that the support of the Camp Nou crowd will be essential in winning silverware. “Together we’ll celebrate them and together we have to work for them”.